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Chapter 16: Capture

With a resounding clang, the kitchen knife and sword clashed. The knife scraped against the side of the sword, sending sparks flying and flames swirling.

The girl’s colorful skirt swirled around her as she spun, her sword flashing, deflecting the incoming flames.

A wave of chilling sword energy surged towards the young man once more.

His body was abruptly “pulled” away, flickering behind her like a ghost.

Du Yuejiao was inwardly surprised by his bizarre footwork.

However, it wasn’t unusual for a demonic cultivator to possess a few strange techniques.

Just like Du Yuejiao herself, she had some unique secret techniques passed down within her sect.

She moved her feet in the Nine Palaces formation, twisting her waist subtly to avoid the blade coming from behind.

Her spinning sword created a perfect circle, deflecting and counterattacking in a single fluid motion.

With the third strike, the tip of her sword aimed directly at the young man’s throat.

This was the “Three Talents Sword Technique” she had learned from her sect after advancing to the eighth rank.

Earth, Man, and Heaven, three consecutive sword strikes, from low to high, each carrying a distinct sword intent.

Another clang echoed as the kitchen knife intercepted her sword from the side, followed by a series of clashing sounds.

Shi Hao’s footwork was unpredictable, swaying and staggering like a drunkard, seemingly without any pattern.

Yet, he was constantly being drawn towards Du Yuejiao, as if by invisible strings.

His illogical footwork forced Du Yuejiao to retreat continuously, barely holding her ground with the tightly woven Three Talents Sword Technique.

She retreated in the Nine Palaces formation, stepping back into the forest.

Her sword flashed, and with crackling sounds, bark flew and branches snapped.

She quickly realized that the young man had used his strange movements to force her into the forest.

Her sword was long, his knife short. The dense forest favored his attacks.

Du Yuejiao snorted, deflected the kitchen knife with her sword, and with a flick of her left wrist, unleashed a flurry of palm strikes towards the young man’s chest.

Shi Hao also extended his left hand, using the Severing Meridian Burning Heart Finger to counterattack.

They circled a tree, their bodies spinning.

After a series of clashes and explosions, the girl’s body flew upwards, landing upside down on a branch. With a flick of her wrist, several invisible sword energies shot towards Shi Hao’s vital points.

This girl’s strength was indeed far superior to the Rat and Bat Duo, Zhao Haisong, and the others.

The kitchen knife flew from his hand, passing through the invisible sword energies. He leaped into the air as the girl also flew off the branch.

The branch snapped with a crack.

The young man flashed behind the girl, caught the kitchen knife, and unleashed a series of slashes.

Arching her back, the girl dodged the attacks, her toes tapping a stone, sending it flying.

Spinning, she swung her arm, her sword tracing a circle, aiming for the young man’s chest, intending to disembowel him.

The stone struck a tree, splitting it open.

Sparks flew as the kitchen knife deflected the sword, carrying the young man’s body with it.

In the next instant, the kitchen knife spun above Du Yuejiao’s head, disrupting her footing.

The blade sliced down, taking a few strands of her black hair with it.

The severed hair, illuminated by the sunlight filtering through the leaves, gleamed white, followed by a piece of her robe.

With a ripping sound, Du Yuejiao tumbled with her sword, her appearance now disheveled.

As she jumped up, the hem of her skirt was sliced open, revealing her grey trousers.

“Be careful, Miss,” the young man with the hooked nose said with a sinister chuckle, “Wouldn’t want to get cut and ruin your chances of marriage.”

Without pause, the kitchen knife, engulfed in demonic flames, danced around the girl, its blade flashing before and behind her.

Her sword was restricted by the trees, and she was in a precarious situation.

The young man’s tone was lewd, but his movements were calculated, attempting to disrupt her focus and cloud her judgment.

He was succeeding, pushing her further and further into a disadvantageous position.

So far, he had been successful. At this rate, she would inevitably fall into his hands, with no escape.

However, Du Yuejiao snorted disdainfully, a look of confidence on her face.

She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a circular jade pendant. She spun it, and a divine light spread outwards.

Suddenly, Shi Hao saw illusions of her everywhere, unable to distinguish the real one from the fakes.

No, every illusion was real.

He could clearly sense her energy flow everywhere.

Space shattered around him, fragments and pieces recombining.

He was trapped within a mysterious illusion, the girl’s figure attacking him from all angles.

Shi Hao was forced to roll on the ground, his kitchen knife held defensively.

Sword lights from all directions crossed above him.

He was struck in the back, his clothes torn, blood spurting out.

The girl’s triumphant laughter echoed around him, “Be careful now. If the cut is deep enough, you’ll die.”

As Shi Hao rolled beneath a tree, his body suddenly grew larger.

More sword strikes landed on him, but he remained unharmed. He grabbed the tree and, with a mighty heave, ripped it from the ground.

—Magical Weapon: Earthly Valor Tiger

—Effect: Grants a divine body and divine power for a short period, multiplying physical strength and power. Limited to one use per day.

Now twice his normal size, Shi Hao’s body was protected by the divine form.

The sword strikes, although shaving off parts of his divine form, couldn’t injure him.

Wielding the tree as a weapon, flames coursed along its bark, sweeping outwards in all directions.

He saw the tree and the flames reflected in the shattered space, everywhere he looked.

Protected by the divine form, he attacked relentlessly, using his enhanced strength to uproot trees, sending dust and debris flying.

The girl’s figure, although appearing everywhere in the shattered space, was now on the defensive.

Suddenly, her illusions converged, and her sword light intensified, like flashes of lightning, slicing through the incoming tree trunk.

Each strike was like a thunderbolt, carrying a silvery, moon-like glow. This was clearly her hidden, decisive sword technique.

Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, the exertion taking its toll.

Shi Hao, in his massive form, uprooted another tree. This time, he focused on a single direction, charging forward like a bull.

Although he charged in one direction, the tree trunk, refracted in the shattered space, seemed to attack the girl’s scattered illusions from all sides.

Crack! The panting girl struck the tree trunk with her sword, the blade embedding itself deeply, but this time, she couldn’t slice through it.

The tree trunk, with her sword stuck in it, was flung aside. The massive divine form, like a descending mountain, loomed over her.

A powerful fist, carrying a fierce wind, slammed down.

The girl was struck in the chest and abdomen, her body arching as she flew backwards like a shrimp.

Terror filled her eyes. Fighting back the pain, she tried to escape.

Fingers pressed against her body, and she felt a scorching aura coursing through her meridians, sealing her acupoints.

She stumbled, and the bear-like figure grabbed her, holding her tightly as he ran through the forest.

“Let me go!” the girl struggled, pounding his arm with her fists, anger, fear, and helplessness mixing within her.

The scorching demonic energy flowed through her meridians, inch by inch.

Gradually, she lost herself in the unbearable heat and the unyielding grip, losing consciousness.

Just half an hour later, a cart loaded with charcoal slowly entered the city gates of Jin Prefecture.

The guards recognized the old charcoal seller who passed through every day and, after a cursory inspection, let him in.

Inside a hidden compartment beneath the charcoal, a limp body swayed gently with the movement of the cart—

---

“Yuejiao? Yuejiao?” Zhuo Mulan called out to her disciple as she entered the valley.

It was evening. Surrounded by mountains, the setting sun cast long shadows across the valley floor.

Zhuo Mulan knew her disciple came here every morning to practice her swordsmanship, usually returning to the monastery by midday.

Du Yuejiao always meticulously followed her daily routine, diligently practicing her swordsmanship and completing her lessons, never slacking off.

But today, she hadn’t returned by midday, nor had she appeared all afternoon.

A sense of foreboding gripped Zhuo Mulan, prompting her to come here.

She suddenly narrowed her eyes and flickered forward.

In a section of the forest, she saw broken branches, scattered leaves, and scorched earth.

Several trees had been uprooted, some charred by fire, some broken into pieces.

The clean breaks on the tree trunks were clearly from her disciple’s secret killing move, the “Moon Wheel Slash.”

She even found her disciple’s sword embedded in a tree trunk, halfway through a cut.

She searched the area but couldn’t find her disciple’s body.

After calling out a few more times, her anxiety growing, she hurriedly left the forest.

Soon, numerous Daoists arrived, searching the quiet forest under Zhuo Mulan’s direction.

“This place is so secluded. Who would come here to attack Nephew Yuejiao?” a Daoist holding a horsetail whisk frowned.

This was Daoist Song Cui, the abbot of Ming Kun Monastery, a tall, thin man with a high forehead and narrow face, resembling a bamboo pole.

“Yuejiao has no enemies. Why would anyone target her?” Zhuo Mulan’s face was filled with worry. “And her strength surpasses that of many martial artists. She also has the ‘Moon Phase Ring’ magical weapon. Whoever captured her is no ordinary person.”

“The attacker must be at least eighth-rank… or even seventh-rank!” Daoist Song Cui looked at the scorched ground, sensing the residual energy, “This person must be a demonic cultivator, possessing the rare ability to transform vital energy into fire. And looking at these uprooted trees, such strength is extraordinary. This person is either a supernatural ability user or possesses a magical weapon, most likely an Earthly Fiend weapon that enhances physical strength.”

Zhuo Mulan said urgently, “Brother, quickly send someone to inform the Marquis and the Six Gates. We must rescue Yuejiao no matter what. She’s a young woman, alone in the enemy’s hands. If we delay any longer, I fear… I fear…”

Daoist Song Cui said solemnly, “We can’t.”

Zhuo Mulan said angrily, “Why not? Saving her is our priority…”

Daoist Song Cui shook his head, “The theft of those documents hasn’t been resolved yet. If news of a disciple being captured spreads, it will damage Ming Kun Monastery’s reputation.

“And since the attacker dared to capture her, even the Six Gates might not be able to find her.”

Zhuo Mulan exclaimed, “Are we just going to do nothing?”

Daoist Song Cui lowered his voice, “Junior Sister Zhuo, there’s no use panicking. Think about it, the attacker didn’t kill her but captured her. He probably wants to make a deal with us.

“If you inform the Six Gates and they launch a citywide search, what if it forces the attacker to silence her…”

Zhuo Mulan’s expression changed.

Daoist Song Cui paced back and forth, “As for who Nephew Yuejiao might have offended recently… I heard that after returning yesterday, she seemed to have a strong prejudice against the young master of Small Han Mountain City…”

Zhuo Mulan shook her head, “It can’t be Shi Hao. I saw him fight. He practices pure Daoist internal arts, his energy carrying the aura of profound ice. The attacker here clearly practices demonic arts, his energy carrying the aura of fire. These are completely different cultivation methods. No one has ever been able to cultivate both Daoist and demonic arts simultaneously.

“Besides, he risked his life to save Li Tong just the other day, showing goodwill towards both the Marquis’ residence and our Ming Kun Monastery. There’s no reason for him to target Yuejiao today.”

Daoist Song Cui, finding her reasoning sound, dismissed the thought of Shi Hao and frowned, “In that case… the attacker is probably also after the God-Sealing Experiment.”

Zhuo Mulan looked up, “But the details of the experiment have already been leaked…”

Daoist Song Cui said coldly, “Precisely because it has been leaked, we overlooked this possibility. The attacker today is working with those who appeared on Red Mountain yesterday, but they’re not connected to the female thief who stole the documents.”

Zhuo Mulan’s expression changed, “Li Tong doesn’t know about the God-Sealing Experiment, but Yuejiao does.”

Daoist Song Cui sighed, “We can only secretly investigate for now, keeping this matter quiet, even from County Mistress Li Tong. And Senior Brother Lan Ke has gone to report to the Yue Ke Tai family. Since he’s not here, there’s no need to inform him. We’ll tell him when he returns in a few days.

“If Yuejiao is smart and refuses to yield, she might have a chance to survive. If the attacker can’t get any information from her, he might contact us.

“But if she’s forced to reveal everything and is no longer useful to them, I fear…”

Thinking of the misfortune that might befall her beautiful disciple, Zhuo Mulan clenched her trembling fists, helpless.

She couldn’t bear to imagine what those villains might do to her disciple.

The thought of the horrors Du Yuejiao might face filled her with anguish.

Chapter 15: Villain, Die!

Old Qiu said, “Indeed. We’re certain this is a matter of grave importance, yet we know nothing about it. To be frank, our organization is called ‘Dark Thunder.’ Our members are all righteous martial artists who oppose the barbarian court, and our goal is to one day expel the barbarians and restore our Chinese lands.

“But the barbarian court is powerful, and many treacherous martial artists in the Six Gates serve as their accomplices. Although we have some skilled members in Dark Thunder, they are mostly in the central plains. The West Shu Province is relatively remote, and we only have a small number of people here. The situation is urgent, and we couldn’t find more experts in time, so we had to target County Mistress Li Tong.”

Shi Hao nodded and suddenly asked, “Is the female thief the Six Gates have been searching for these past few days also one of yours?”

Lu Tong said, “She’s not one of us. On the contrary, her sudden appearance has alerted the enemy and made things more complicated.”

Shi Hao said, “After your failed attempt yesterday, the Marquis’ residence will undoubtedly strengthen their protection of County Mistress Li Tong.”

Old Qiu and Lu Tong both looked helpless.

Shi Hao said solemnly, “I understand County Mistress Li Tong has a senior sister named Du Yuejiao. If we can capture her, perhaps we can also obtain information related to the God-Sealing Experiment?”

Old Qiu hesitated, “That…”

Lu Tong said, “Unlike County Mistress Li Tong, Du Yuejiao is Zhuo Mulan’s direct disciple. Zhuo Mulan is definitely involved in the God-Sealing Experiment at Ming Kun Monastery, and as her disciple, Du Yuejiao must also be aware of it.

“But Du Yuejiao has been cultivating orthodox Chongxian Sect techniques since childhood, and her swordsmanship is exceptional. None of our people in Jin Prefecture are a match for her. Moreover, as a skilled member of the younger generation of the Chongxian Sect, she likely possesses one or two magical weapons.”

Old Qiu sighed helplessly, “Don’t underestimate her just because she’s young, Righteous Hao. Our plan yesterday was based on confirming she wouldn’t be attending the Red Tong Banquet.

“Her strength is likely comparable to the young master of Small Han Mountain City. If she had been there yesterday, no matter how many men we had, we would have had to retreat.”

Shi Hao said, “Don’t worry, you don’t need to do anything. I just need you to do two things for me. First, I need information about the terrain around Ming Kun Monastery and the general routines of its members. Since you were originally targeting Ming Kun Monastery, you must have already investigated.

“Second, I need a place in Jin Prefecture where no one will find us. To be precise… I need a prison.”

He said coldly, “A prison where no one will notice, no matter how I torture her.”

Old Qiu and Lu Tong exchanged glances. Old Qiu gritted his teeth and said, “Rest assured, kind sir. We’ll take care of it.”

---

Leaving the secluded residence, Shi Hao walked alone through the market.

He came to a blacksmith’s shop and bought a kitchen knife.

There was a time when the barbarian court had decreed that ordinary people were not allowed to purchase kitchen knives individually. Five households were allowed to share only one knife, and purchasing one privately was illegal.

This regulation was still technically in effect, but it was no longer enforced, and no one cared.

After all, in this world of martial arts and supernatural abilities, ordinary people posed no threat to the barbarian court, no matter how many kitchen knives they possessed.

The greatest threat to the barbarian court remained the rogue martial artists who defied the law and operated outside their control.

It was an ordinary kitchen knife, with a wooden handle and a dark blade, reasonably sharp.

The blacksmith assured him it would be perfect for chopping meat and bones.

Shi Hao tucked the knife into his waistband, covering it with his outer robe, and walked through the crowded market.

After passing through a group of people, he subtly changed his appearance and, blending into the crowd, reached another street.

After wandering around for a while, he returned to his residence at noon.

After lunch, he placed the Jade Clarity Stone in the sunlight for half an hour, retrieved it, and then cultivated alone in his room.

In the evening, he left again, changing his appearance with the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique and exiting the city before the gates closed.

He arrived at a dense forest outside the city, where a woman emerged, “Righteous Hao.”

It was Lu Tong.

Shi Hao took a stack of documents from her and then left.

The kitchen knife was still tucked into his waistband.

He used his light-foot skills to reach the outskirts of Ming Kun Monastery.

Ming Kun Monastery, located halfway up the mountain, was a grand and luxurious Daoist temple. It was now evening, the stars shining brightly in the night sky, the moon a crescent.

Shi Hao extended his hand, and with a flash of fire, he burned the documents in a secluded spot.

He had to admit, Dark Thunder’s intelligence gathering was thorough.

Ming Kun Monastery, as a branch of the Chongxian Sect in Jin Prefecture, had many skilled Daoists, making it difficult to infiltrate.

However, even the Chongxian Sect, the self-proclaimed “orthodox leader of all Daoist sects,” needed people to deliver food, clean latrines, and perform other menial tasks.

These tasks were carried out discreetly, away from the eyes of the seemingly otherworldly Daoists.

No one would bother them with such trivial matters, which allowed their cultivation to proceed undisturbed.

Old Qiu and the others had clearly planted people among these insignificant laborers, gradually gaining a clear picture of the inner workings of Ming Kun Monastery.

In the forest, Shi Hao looked up at the cold moon. Tonight, the moon was a thinner crescent than last night.

The next full moon was about twenty days away. Then, he could return to the Primordial Grotto Heaven.

With a flicker, he melted into the darkness, disappearing like a ghost—

---

Inside Ming Kun Monastery, in an elegant pavilion, incense burned, and the curtains swayed gently.

The night breeze, carrying the fragrance from the flower garden outside, drifted through the window screens, filling the pavilion. The light in the corner wasn’t from a candle but a round crystal sphere.

Inside the sphere was Night Fragrance Grass, a spiritual herb that emitted a soft, even glow in the dark, something even wealthy families couldn’t easily acquire.

The young woman sitting at the table, her bare shoulders glistening with water droplets, wore only a light red skirt that reached her chest. Without a belt or sash, the skirt flowed naturally, leaving much to the imagination.

Recalling the young man’s arrogant and disdainful tone from that morning, Du Yuejiao’s eyes still flashed with anger.

She had never been looked down upon like that in her life.

She remembered his tone when he claimed to have reached the eighth rank in just one year, that arrogant demeanor as if he thought everyone else was a fool. It was incredibly infuriating.

Having cultivated in the Chongxian Sect since childhood, Du Yuejiao knew the hardships of cultivation.

Others saw her as a young genius, having reached the eighth rank at such a young age, full of spirit and vigor, but they didn’t know the effort she had put in.

“Just some unorthodox scum,” Du Yuejiao snorted. “Acting all high and mighty.”

Thinking about it, she found it amusing that she would even care about such a person.

And he was a country bumpkin who didn’t even know that the Chongxian Sect had monopolized the ingredients for refining the Nine Ranks Immortal Formula. He had even gone to a common apothecary like the Chuan Jin Treasure Pavilion to try and buy them.

Du Yuejiao pursed her lips, looked at her reflection in the polished bronze mirror, and thought it was ridiculous that she had almost been angered by a country bumpkin and unorthodox scum.

Now that she thought about it, it was mainly his tone, when he claimed to have reached the eighth rank in just one year, that had irritated her so much.

Why should she even bother with him?

An unorthodox country bumpkin like him couldn’t possibly obtain those immortal ingredients, let alone advance to the seventh rank.

She, on the other hand, had a bright future!

After calming herself, Du Yuejiao put the country bumpkin out of her mind and sat on her bed in the lotus position to cultivate.

The Chongxian Sect not only controlled the spiritual herbs and leaves required for refining the Nine Ranks Immortal Formula, but also possessed numerous Daoist cultivation techniques.

She was currently practicing a technique called the “Divine Orchid Technique.” When circulating the technique, her true energy would seep through her skin, emitting a faint fragrance that filled the room.

She was close to mastering the Divine Orchid Technique. Once she reached its peak, she could request the seventh-rank Immortal Formula from her sect and advance to the seventh rank.

After cultivating until midnight, her meridians felt much smoother, but her mind started to wander. Continuing would yield diminishing returns.

She stopped cultivating and went to sleep.

As dawn broke, she got up, washed up, and changed into a beautiful and elegant Daoist robe with an auspicious cloud pattern.

The “auspicious cloud pattern” was formed by embroidering ruyi scepters and lingzhi mushrooms in the shape of clouds, giving the robe an ethereal and exquisite appearance.

Although it was a Daoist robe, its craftsmanship was exquisite. The wrap-around robe had a pleated skirt.

While it was clearly a Daoist robe, it looked more like an “embroidered cloud-patterned dress resembling a Daoist robe.”

She picked up her three-foot-long sword and, instead of using the main door, leaped from the balcony of her pavilion.

“Junior Sister Yuejiao, practicing your sword so early again?” the Daoist guarding the main gate asked habitually.

Du Yuejiao nodded slightly, polite but unsmiling.

She floated out, heading deep into the back mountains, then into a dense, ancient forest. Passing a cliff face, she arrived at a secluded valley shrouded in mist.

This was where she practiced her swordsmanship daily, a place unknown even to others within Ming Kun Monastery.

Surrounded by mountains, with a stream flowing through it, the valley was always filled with mist, even in this season.

She began practicing her swordsmanship, the blade flashing. Suddenly, she frowned, turned sharply, and shouted, “Who’s there?”

“You’re quite skilled, Miss Du!” A figure emerged from the dense forest, hands clasped behind his back.

It was a young man in a grey tunic, his features sharp and grim, his forehead high, his nose slightly hooked.

His appearance wasn’t handsome, but rather cold and ruthless.

Every step he took radiated a scorching aura.

This aura felt ominous and out of place, as if it didn’t belong in this world.

“A demonic cultivator?” Du Yuejiao quickly assessed.

Only a demonic cultivator would possess such a bizarre and unsettling aura.

“Not only skilled, but also perceptive, Miss Du!” The young man in grey actually smiled.

The shadow on his hooked nose deepened, “Hearing of your presence here, I, though unworthy, came to pay my respects.”

Du Yuejiao raised an eyebrow, her face turning grim. She spun around, her sword pointing at him.

The blade stirred the mist, as if drawing the first rays of dawn from the sky, “Who is this villain seeking death before me?!”

“It seems you’re not only skilled and perceptive, but also confident, Miss Du!” The young man smiled strangely, “In that case, allow me to experience your skills firsthand!”

With a disdainful, mocking smile, he drew the kitchen knife from his waistband.

Seeing the kitchen knife in his hand, Du Yuejiao’s eyes burned with uncontainable rage.

Killing intent radiated from her, her body trembling slightly with anger…

---

Holding the kitchen knife, despite his provocative words, Shi Hao didn’t dare to be careless.

Using the Soul Chasing Locking Steps and sensing Du Yuejiao’s energy flow, he had been able to follow her undetected to this secluded location.

Otherwise, even if he knew she was in the mountains, he wouldn’t have been able to find this hidden valley.

However, as he tried to approach stealthily, Du Yuejiao had detected him first.

This proved her exceptional skills. His initial plan of a surprise attack seemed overly optimistic now.

Du Yuejiao formed a sword seal with her left hand, her sword gleaming, its intent radiating outwards.

She was like a night-blooming cereus suddenly blossoming in the valley, her sword intent cold and sharp.

Like a north wind sweeping down from an icy mountain in winter, even before she moved, the chilling aura was intense.

The anger in her eyes further fueled this chilling sword intent, letting Shi Hao know that his provocation had been successful… perhaps too successful!

This girl’s arrogance, stemming from being a member of a “renowned and orthodox sect” like the Chongxian Sect, was, in Shi Hao’s view, her greatest weakness.

However, in terms of combat experience, Shi Hao knew he wasn’t much better than her.

So far, he had only experienced two battles, one on Disordered Chess Mountain and one on Red Mountain.

Although he had been outnumbered in both, none of his opponents had been eighth-rank experts.

He let out a disdainful sneer and stepped forward without hesitation, his demeanor arrogant, his heart cold.

He channeled the Mysterious Charm Technique, transforming the Severing Meridian Burning Heart Finger into the Severing Meridian Burning Heart Saber. The black iron kitchen knife in his hand was engulfed in flames.

“Be careful, Miss Du!” He made himself appear even more menacing, like a seasoned thug.

He said in a teasing tone, “Swords and knives have no eyes. Wouldn’t want to scar that pretty face of yours. That would break my heart.”

“Villain, die!” Her furious gaze, like a stone disturbing the surface of a lake, replaced her usual cold demeanor with rage.

Her chilling sword intent erupted, and in the next instant, like a violent storm, it swept towards the young man with the hooked nose—

Chapter 14: The Conferred God Experiment (God-Sealing Experiment)

Shi Hao’s haughty tone irritated Du Yuejiao.

Having cultivated in the Chongxian Sect since childhood, she couldn’t imagine anyone embracing the label of “unorthodox” with such pride.

She gripped the hilt of her sword, glaring at Shi Hao.

Unfazed, Shi Hao sneered, “So, you’re going to kill me just because I tried to buy some medicinal ingredients?”

Du Yuejiao snorted, drawing her sword an inch, the blade gleaming, “Speak! What is your purpose in infiltrating the Marquis’ residence and colluding with the attackers yesterday, pretending to save my junior sister?”

Shi Hao said disdainfully, “Since you’ve already decided I was working with those masked attackers, what’s the point of talking? If you have evidence, go ahead and inform the Six Gates. Let them come and arrest me.”

He ignored her and continued walking.

Du Yuejiao shouted, “Don’t think I won’t kill you here and now!”

“Of course you would!” Shi Hao retorted. “The Chongxian Sect is the orthodox leader of all Daoist sects. What’s it to you to kill someone without proof? If you want to kill me, just draw your sword.”

He continued walking, ignoring her, until he reached the end of the alley and turned onto a dirty, dilapidated street.

Although Du Yuejiao had half-drawn her sword, her killing intent clear, she ultimately didn’t attack. The anger in her eyes, however, intensified.

Finally, she sheathed her sword with a clang, “Hmph! Cowardly unorthodox scum!” She turned and left.

---

Shi Hao walked down the street where the poor resided, a dirty and chaotic street crowded with people, some in rags, some children as thin as sticks.

Jin City was located in West Shu, geographically far from the central regions and provinces like Jiangzhe and Huangdong.

But recently, more and more refugees had been arriving from the east.

These refugees, with nowhere to go, mostly crowded into these neglected areas, where people died every day.

The officials and the wealthy never saw these people. Their lives, their deaths, were like dust particles rising and falling in the shadows, never touched by the glittering lights of the wealthy.

These Chinese people, living on Chinese soil, from birth to death, couldn’t escape the oppression and humiliation of foreign rule. Their lives were lowly, their deaths pitiable.

Shi Hao hated that he couldn’t do anything for them.

Passing through this shadow-shrouded area, he was surrounded by listless gazes, eyes devoid of hope.

He felt his body, under their gaze, growing as cold as their eyes, yet he couldn’t suppress the burning anger within him.

He crossed a stone bridge, passing a street vendor pushing a cart. On the other side of the bridge, the scene changed dramatically. Red-light districts, luxurious pavilions, and fragrant carriages, as if he had entered a different world.

Shi Hao walked back to his residence in silence.

After a while, he sensed someone watching him.

He discreetly used the Soul Chasing Locking Steps, sensing the energy flows around him, and finally locked onto his targets.

Two people were following him. He turned at a stall and casually glanced back. The two quickly hid among the crowd, avoiding his gaze.

Although it was just a quick glance, Shi Hao saw that they were both men, dressed in the common brown clothes of the lower class, keeping their distance from each other, both wearing conical bamboo hats.

He thought to himself, “They don’t seem like people from the Chongxian Sect. Could they be Six Gates agents? No… they don’t feel like it either!”

A patrol of soldiers passed by, and the two men instinctively turned their backs to them.

It was clearly a subconscious, instinctive reaction.

Even though the soldiers hadn’t noticed them and weren’t there to arrest them, they still did it involuntarily.

Shi Hao seized the opportunity, slipping into a side alley while they were distracted by the soldiers.

The two men arrived moments later, looking around. Not seeing him, they ran into the alley.

A young man approached from the opposite direction. He was about the same height as their target, but his features were sharp and angular, with a slightly prominent hooked nose. He wasn’t the person they were tracking.

They glanced at him and continued running, exiting the alley.

One of them said grimly, “Where’s that kid?”

The other spat angrily, “Looks like he got away. Damn it!”

Unable to find their target, they gave up and left…

---

The young man with the sharp features and hooked nose discreetly followed behind them.

He had to admit, the skills taught by the Enchanting Fire Witch were incredibly practical in the martial world.

The Evil Shadow Disguise Technique had its limitations. It couldn’t subtly control his facial muscles to perfectly imitate someone else.

But altering a few key features, like raising his forehead, widening the bridge of his nose, and making his facial contours more defined, was enough to make him look like a completely different person.

The Soul Chasing Locking Steps allowed him to lock onto other martial artists’ energy flows. At this moment, he didn’t even need to use his eyes; he could pinpoint their location simply by sensing their energy.

This made it impossible for the two men, despite constantly looking back to check for tails, to detect him.

Occasionally, they would stop and hide in the shadows, making sure they weren’t being followed, before continuing.

Shi Hao knew they weren’t being so cautious because they suspected they were being followed.

It was their environment that forced them to be constantly vigilant.

As they entered a secluded area, their pace quickened.

Guided by their energy flows, Shi Hao stayed close behind.

They arrived at a large courtyard and slipped inside.

Shi Hao silently scaled the wall and hid under the eaves, listening to the conversation inside.

“We ran into that barbarian lapdog from Red Mountain yesterday,” one of the men said angrily. “I wasn’t at Red Mountain yesterday, but Old Yang recognized him. That’s the guy who injured his wrist.”

A woman’s voice followed, “I heard he’s very skilled. Yesterday’s plan should have been flawless, but he ruined it single-handedly. You didn’t cause him any trouble, did you?”

Shi Hao felt he had heard this woman’s voice somewhere before.

The other man replied, “We followed him, wanting to see who he was, but we lost him.”

An unfamiliar old man’s voice said, “Be careful. Don’t let him follow you instead.”

The two men said, “Don’t worry, Old Qiu!” “We were very cautious. We made sure no one was following us.”

Shi Hao’s mind raced, and he suddenly said, “You can’t be so sure!”

His voice startled everyone inside. The sounds of rushing wind filled the air, and a flying knife shot out the window, spinning.

A young woman leaped out, caught the knife, and landed gracefully.

A figure stood beneath a tree, leaves rustling in the wind, casting dappled shadows on him.

She said in surprise, “It’s you?”

Several figures rushed out of the house and surrounded the young man under the tree.

Besides the two men, there was also an old man in a long robe and several other martial artists, each possessing at least ninth-rank strength.

They looked at the young man under the tree with surprise and suspicion. The old man quickly glanced at the young woman, “You know him?”

The woman put away the flying knife, “He’s one of us! This is the righteous man who killed the Rat and Bat Duo and those Six Gates lapdogs on Disordered Chess Mountain, saving those two children.”

The old man in the grey robe was moved. He cupped his hands towards the young man under the tree, “May I ask where you come from, kind sir, and what brings you here?”

Shi Hao looked around. The young woman was the one who had killed Zhao Haisong with a flying knife on Disordered Chess Mountain.

The other martial artists, although they had surrounded him, softened their stance after learning he was the “righteous man” who saved the two children.

Shi Hao looked at the old man and said slowly, “I apologize. The two men I followed in the street were tracking the same target as me. I didn’t know if they were friend or foe, so I followed them discreetly. I apologize for disturbing you.”

The two men exchanged glances, shocked.

They had been extremely cautious along the way, yet someone had still managed to follow them undetected.

This man’s abilities were truly incredible.

The old man thought to himself, “This man managed to follow us here and hide undetected. If he hadn’t spoken, we wouldn’t have even noticed him. Since he revealed himself, he probably doesn’t mean any harm. Besides, Tong’er saw him kill the Rat and Bat Duo and those barbarian lapdogs with her own eyes. He must be an ally.”

He waved his hand, signaling the others to step back. He cupped his hands towards the young man, “Please come in, kind sir.”

Shi Hao bowed, “Please.”

He followed the old man into the hall.

The hall was sparsely furnished, with a simple wooden table, a few stools, a ceramic tea set, and some coarse tea.

The old man invited him to sit down and asked, “May I ask for your name, kind sir?”

Shi Hao said calmly, “My surname is Hao.”

He had changed his name slightly, using a homophone.

The old man didn’t mind that he only gave his surname. After all, they were strangers, and caution was necessary.

The old man said, “My surname is Qiu. Everyone calls me Old Qiu.”

The young woman beside him smiled, “My name is Lu Tong.”

Shi Hao nodded, “Old Qiu, Miss Tong.”

Old Qiu said, “Since you revealed yourself to us, kind sir, you must have something to ask?”

Shi Hao asked solemnly, “Why were you following the young master of Small Han Mountain City?”

Old Qiu said, “The young master of Small Han Mountain City? So, the one who protected Marquis Wusu Baoteng’s daughter at Red Mountain yesterday was the young master of Small Han Mountain City? As far as I know, Small Han Mountain City isn’t a martial arts sect. I didn’t expect their young master to be so skilled.”

Shi Hao knew that these people had their own organization and would eventually discover his identity, even though they were currently operating in secret and their information was slightly outdated.

It was better to reveal it himself as a gesture of goodwill from “Righteous Hao.”

He said slowly, “Indeed. I heard that the barbarian lapdogs in the Six Gates are investigating his martial arts background, so I followed him discreetly to see what secrets he might be hiding. I didn’t expect to run into your people.

“I initially thought the two men following him were from the Six Gates, but I realized I was mistaken when I recognized Miss Tong’s voice.”

Lu Tong, dressed in a light green skirt, poured him a cup of tea and asked in surprise, “The Six Gates are investigating him? Isn’t he a barbarian lapdog serving the Marquis’ residence? He injured more than a dozen of our people yesterday while protecting that County Mistress Li Tong.”

Shi Hao slowly shook his head, “It seems that’s not the case. Yesterday, he was simply invited to the banquet as the young master of Small Han Mountain City and was inadvertently caught in the crossfire.

“Neither the Marquis’ residence nor the Six Gates knew he possessed martial arts skills beforehand. That’s why I became curious about him, wanting to know his background, so I followed him secretly.”

Old Qiu said, “So, although he protected the barbarian County Mistress yesterday, he only injured our people’s wrists, forcing them to retreat, but he didn’t kill anyone. According to those who were there, his swordsmanship is divine and profound.”

“With such skill, if he had intended to kill, our people probably wouldn’t have escaped unscathed. It seems we still need to observe whether he is friend or foe. It’s very likely he was just caught in the crossfire.”

Shi Hao was worried that these people would specifically target him, the “barbarian lapdog.”

He wouldn’t know whether to kill them or not, so he decided to clear things up beforehand using a different identity.

Shi Hao slowly asked, “Why did you try to capture County Mistress Li Tong? Just because she’s Wusu Baoteng’s daughter?”

He deliberately laced his tone with disapproval, as if he looked down upon such actions that implicated innocent people.

Old Qiu and Lu Tong exchanged glances.

Old Qiu lowered his voice and said, “Since things have come to this, we won’t hide it from you, kind sir. We didn’t intend to kill her, but to capture her. We wanted to exchange her life for a secret from the Chongxian Sect’s Ming Kun Monastery.”

Shi Hao asked, “What secret?”

He paused, “It’s alright if you can’t tell me.”

Old Qiu shook his head, “There’s nothing I can’t tell you. We received intel that the Chongxian Sect’s Ming Kun Monastery is conducting a secret experiment with the Yue Ke Tai clan, a prominent barbarian family. It’s said that this initially disregarded hypothesis, deemed improbable, unexpectedly succeeded.

“Our informant within the Chongxian Sect only managed to reveal a few clues, letting us know that this experiment is called ‘Conferred God.’ Its success could potentially reshape the martial world, allowing the barbarian court and the Chongxian Sect to truly rule it. But he was killed before he could reveal more.

“Security is tight at the Ming Kun Monastery due to a recent theft. Left with no other choice, we decided to capture County Mistress Li Tong. She’s the disciple of Recluse Zhuo of Ming Kun Monastery and also Wusu Baoteng’s daughter. By capturing her, we hoped to force Ming Kun Monastery to exchange the secrets of the ‘God-Sealing Experiment’ for her life.

“Unfortunately, despite our careful planning, our efforts were thwarted at the crucial moment by the young master of Small Han Mountain City.”

Shi Hao frowned, his slightly hooked nose appearing even more sharp and grim, “God-Sealing Experiment?”

 

 

Chapter 13: Du Yuejiao

Qiu Jiangping frowned as he looked at Shi Hao.

Beside him, Du Yuejiao said sharply, “One year? I heard every single attacker was ranked and worked together seamlessly, fighting fearlessly. To survive their attack, one would need at least eighth-rank strength.

“Reaching the eighth rank in just one year? Do you think we’re fools?”

Shi Hao sighed… Indeed, it did sound like he was trying to fool them.

Because in reality, it had taken even less time.

Of course, he hadn’t actually cultivated himself. It all started when the Holy Jade Immortal and the Enchanting Fire Witch inexplicably shattered his heart meridian…

He knew they wouldn’t believe him no matter what he said.

After all, he had been a scholar with no martial arts skills before this, and that was everyone’s understanding of him in Small Han Mountain City.

This meant that no matter how much they investigated, they wouldn’t believe him.

So, he clasped his hands behind his back and said proudly, “That is the truth!” He adopted an air of “believe it or not.”

Acting humbly now would only make them more suspicious.

Du Yuejiao sneered, “There must be a traitor on Red Mountain, and you might be that traitor. Your so-called repelling of the attackers was probably just a staged performance.”

Shi Hao said calmly, “You have a sharp tongue, young lady, but it’s a pity you weren’t there when it happened. There’s no need for your rhetoric now.”

Du Yuejiao’s eyebrows shot up. She suddenly stepped forward and, with a flick of her wrist, struck towards Shi Hao’s chest with lightning speed.

Their palms met with a crack. Shi Hao, intercepting Du Yuejiao’s palm strike just in time, felt her relentless force, not to be underestimated.

Du Yuejiao, however, felt a chilling aura emanating from his palm.

“Disciple, stand down,” Zhuo Mulan said softly.

Du Yuejiao snorted, withdrew her palm, and stepped back. Zhuo Mulan looked at Shi Hao, “You practice orthodox Daoist techniques?! The one who taught you martial arts was a Daoist?”

Shi Hao replied, “Indeed!” Although martial arts varied, Daoist internal elixir cultivation and demonic essence absorption were distinctly different from other martial arts practices. There was no point in hiding it.

Du Yuejiao said coldly, “The Chongxian Sect is the leader of all Daoist sects. All Daoist practitioners must receive a decree from the Chongxian Sect to be officially recognized. Otherwise, they are merely charlatans and frauds, deceiving people for food and drink.”

Shi Hao said impassively, “If you say so, young lady, then it must be true.”

Du Yuejiao, hearing the sarcasm in his voice, raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with killing intent.

A young woman approached from the side, “Father, Master, Senior Sister…”

It was County Mistress Li Tong. She subtly positioned herself between Du Yuejiao and Shi Hao, giving her father a meaningful look.

Wusu Baoteng thought to himself, “Although there must be something suspicious about Shi Hao’s martial arts background, he saved my daughter. If I were to reward him with suspicion instead, who would be willing to serve me in the future?”

He laughed heartily and said to Shi Hao, “You have rendered a great service, and I will reward you handsomely. You may withdraw and rest now.”

Shi Hao bowed, “Thank you, Marquis!” and turned to leave.

After Shi Hao left, Chief Constable Qiu Jiangping said to the Marquis, “The attackers’ timing and location were too precise. There must be an inside man. We need to thoroughly investigate both the young master of Small Han Mountain City and the young guild master of the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild.”

Wusu Baoteng, a shrewd man, knew the Six Gates’ methods all too well. He said with displeasure, “There is definitely a traitor, but the traitor must be within my residence. Whether it’s Shi Hao or Deng Liang, they are just outsiders who were invited here. What can we find from investigating them?

“There must be a reason why those attackers suddenly targeted my daughter. Chief Constable Qiu, investigate thoroughly. Don’t go easy on my household staff and find innocent scapegoats just because this involves the Marquis’ residence.”

Qiu Jiangping hurriedly said, “Yes! Yes! Rest assured, Marquis. I will investigate this matter thoroughly.”

But he thought to himself, the Marquis’ residence is like a deep ocean. The deeper I investigate, the more complicated it will become. How am I supposed to handle this?

Zhuo Mulan turned to Qiu Jiangping, “Chief Constable, have you found anything regarding the female thief who stole the treasure the night before last?”

Qiu Jiangping shook his head helplessly, “Please give us more time, Recluse. The clues you provided are too few. Such a female thief has never appeared in Jin Prefecture before. We’ve sent a message to the capital, investigating similar theft cases across the country.

“The female thief who stole the treasure from Ming Kun Monastery is no ordinary person. She can’t have appeared out of thin air with no background whatsoever.”

Du Yuejiao said coldly, “Perhaps that Shi Hao is in league with the female thief. We can definitely find clues from him.”

Qiu Jiangping smiled faintly, “Rest assured, Miss Du. We at the Six Gates aren’t freeloaders. No matter which sect this young master of Small Han Mountain City belongs to, his skills couldn’t have been developed overnight. As long as we investigate thoroughly, we will find something.”

Du Yuejiao pursed her lips and snorted—

---

Back at his residence, Shi Hao saw Master Lu and the four hunters, who had accompanied him from Small Han Mountain City, looking at him strangely.

He understood. He had them close the door, led them to the hall, had them sit down, and then asked, “Did someone come and ask you when I started practicing martial arts and which sect I belong to?”

Master Lu and the four hunters exchanged glances.

After a while, Master Lu said, “Young Master, someone did come. First, it was a steward from the Marquis’ residence, and then a constable.”

Shi Hao asked, “Did they give you any trouble?”

Master Lu shook his head, “Not really. Their attitude was polite enough, but they clearly didn’t believe us. We told them you’ve never practiced martial arts, but they were obviously skeptical, especially the constable. He kept hinting, with a smile, that giving false testimony to the Six Gates could lead to imprisonment.”

Shi Hao said, “Alright, I won’t hide it from you anymore. I have indeed practiced martial arts. A year ago, I encountered an old Daoist in the mountains who taught me some secret techniques. I was practicing in secret, not wanting others to know.

“But today, during the banquet, when County Mistress Li Tong was attacked, I had to defend myself, inadvertently revealing my martial arts skills, which aroused suspicion.”

He paused and continued, “This matter could be big or small. Since I saved County Mistress Li Tong, the Marquis’ residence probably won’t make things difficult for me for the time being. However, you all know the ways of these nobles and the Six Gates. They can be ruthless.

“To avoid further complications, you should return to Small Han Mountain City. The city gates haven’t closed yet. Leave now.”

One of the hunters said, “Young Master, if we leave, who will take care of you?”

Shi Hao smiled, “Do I really need someone to take care of me? This residence has local servants who handle the daily chores. You don’t need to worry. Go back to Small Han Mountain City. I’ll return after some time, when things have calmed down.

“Don’t forget, I know martial arts. To be honest, I now possess an eighth-rank foundation.”

Master Lu and the others were stunned, staring at him in disbelief.

Although someone had come to inquire about his martial arts background, and he had just admitted to knowing martial arts, they hadn’t expected their seemingly frail young master to be an eighth-rank martial artist!

They all had some martial arts training, but including Master Lu, they were all “unranked.” In their eyes, an eighth-rank martial artist was a formidable figure.

After all, Small Han Mountain City wasn’t a martial arts sect. They were just ordinary people who had fled to West Shu to escape the barbarian massacres during the war.

They hadn’t expected their young master, “just a scholar,” to possess such strength.

Of course, if they knew that just a few days ago, when they left Small Han Mountain City, their young master truly was “just a scholar,” they would be even more shocked and incredulous.

Master Lu and the four hunters, following Shi Hao’s instructions, left the city in the afternoon before the gates closed.

Shi Hao stayed in the residence, practicing and resting. In the evening, the Marquis’ reward arrived, the usual gold, silver, silk, and brocade.

At night, he took out the Jade Clarity Stone, placed it on the roof under the moonlight for half an hour, and then retrieved it. He continued circulating the Immortal Ice Technique and the Mysterious Charm Technique within him as he slept.

The next day, after washing up and having breakfast at a street stall, he set out for the Chuan Jin Treasure Pavilion that Deng Liang had mentioned.

He asked for directions and arrived at the pavilion. The Chuan Jin Treasure Pavilion was a large business with branches in various districts, and this was their main store in Jin Prefecture.

The walls were crimson, with a two-tiered, upturned roof.

The entire building looked new and magnificent. He climbed the stone steps and entered. A staff member immediately greeted him, “What can I get for you, sir?”

Shi Hao said, “I’m looking for some rare medicinal ingredients. The young guild master of the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild said you might have them, so I came to inquire.”

The staff member said, “So you were referred by Young Master Deng. Please come in, please come in.”

Shi Hao was led to the inner room and offered a seat. Soon, a manager approached and asked, “May I ask for your name, sir?”

Shi Hao replied, “My surname is Shi.”

The manager asked, “What kind of medicinal ingredients are you looking for, Master Shi?”

Shi Hao said, “One is Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud, the other is Water Moon Exquisite Lotus…” He paused, not mentioning the third ingredient, and looked at the manager.

The manager said in surprise, “Such rare and spiritual ingredients? Master Shi, these ingredients are not only expensive, but they’re also not always in stock. For example, the Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud grows in cold water and blooms only three buds every three years. Each bud can only be preserved for seven or eight days after being picked. So, not only is it extremely expensive, but it also requires pre-ordering and a substantial deposit.”

Shi Hao asked, “So, does your pavilion have these items?” He was worried that, like Deng Liang, the manager wouldn’t know anything about them.

Since the manager seemed knowledgeable, it meant these ingredients could indeed be purchased.

The manager asked, “Are you a Daoist practitioner, sir? Do you have a Daoist registration?”

Shi Hao shook his head, “Does that matter?”

The manager smiled, “Not at all! Not at all! It’s just that both the Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud and the Water Moon Exquisite Lotus are extremely rare and precious. Please wait a moment, sir. I’ll send someone to check our main warehouse to see if we have them in stock.”

With an apologetic bow, the manager left. A waiter served Shi Hao tea.

Shi Hao waited for a long time but received no response. He frowned, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. He got up and left the inner room.

The manager hurried over, “Master Shi, please wait a little longer. The reply will be here soon. Please be patient.”

Shi Hao said, “I won’t wait any longer. I’ll come back tomorrow.” He walked out without hesitation.

The manager called after him, “Sir, why don’t you leave your name and address? We’ll send someone to inform you when we have a reply… Sir? Sir?”

Shi Hao left the pavilion and entered the bustling street, quickly turning a corner into a small alley.

After navigating the winding alleyways and reaching a deserted area, he suddenly stopped, his face expressionless.

A young woman in an embroidered Daoist robe emerged from around the corner.

Although it was a Daoist robe in style, its form-fitting design and bright crimson color made it appear more like elegant attire.

She had an oval face, an elaborate hairstyle with a Daoist hairpin, and a sword at her waist. It was Du Yuejiao of the Ming Kun Monastery.

Blocking his path, Du Yuejiao sneered, “It really is you!”

Shi Hao said calmly, “I didn’t expect that even buying medicinal ingredients would require your esteemed presence, young lady. What a coincidence.”

Du Yuejiao said disdainfully, “I thought you were quite capable, but it turns out you’re just ignorant. The Chongxian Sect is the orthodox leader of all Daoist sects. The Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud and the Water Moon Exquisite Lotus are both immortal ingredients used to refine the ‘Nine Ranks Immortal Formula’ for Daoist internal elixirs.

“For three hundred years, our Chongxian Sect has led the Daoist sects. By imperial decree, apart from the Chongxian Sect, no other Daoist sect is allowed to cultivate or trade these immortal ingredients. If they need them, they must apply to the Chongxian Sect. All apothecaries are required to report anyone attempting to purchase these ingredients without authorization.

“You didn’t even know about these regulations? Hmph, you truly are unorthodox.”

Shi Hao was slightly taken aback… He really hadn’t known.

After all, he had never interacted with the Daoist sects before, or even the martial world in general.

No wonder the Chongxian Sect, in just three hundred years, had transformed from a small sect that “couldn’t even rank among the eight major sects” (as the Holy Jade Immortal had put it) into the “orthodox leader of all Daoist sects.”

With the support of the barbarian court, they had clearly monopolized all the ingredients required for refining the Nine Ranks Immortal Formula. This forced all other Daoist sects to rely on the Chongxian Sect; otherwise, they would be labeled “unorthodox.”

He looked at Du Yuejiao and said coldly, “I am unorthodox. So what?”